Let's see, the last post was in February. Geez!
I just finished two courses in my studies and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Both had to do with being creative in leadership, which were areas I could really relate to in my personal life. I still have at least 3 classes left before I finish my Masters, and that means 4 more months. I was really hoping to be done in two months, but as work has it for me, I cannot travel to the valley to take my class at a brick and mortar. So, I will have to wait until I finish my last 2 classes before the final capstone class.
I am kind of excited. Also, the classes I just finished taking, as much as they were overwhelming, were amazing to me. I loved the readings and as I hate to admit, this was the first time I completely read through almost all the books. Usually, I skim through pages to find answers to questions, discussions, and my papers. This time, I read through some great books.
The first was The Artist's Way, Riding the Dragon, or so. I don't have the books with me right now. The second was Transitions. The third was something to do with the Right brain ruling the world. The last one was Organizational Behavior. As I mentioned in class, these classes kept me engaged, which is not easy to do at the near end of the studies. I remember how I felt like my classes dragged on during my undergraduate studies and how I couldn't wait to be done. I still cannot wait to be done with graduate studies. But I am enjoying the classes. I think I made the right choice this time. Not perfect, but well done so far.
One of the things I learned or was more emphasized was taking a time out to do something that has nothing to with work or serious life. You don't understand how hard that is to do when you struggle to make ends meet. There is no money or time to do anything else but find a way to pay for your living expenses. I have a ton of things I want to do. Some activities I have been lucky to do when I had the time and money. But finding time to go out and do something is not easy when you have to count every penny.
I am more sympathizing than I am wanting people to feel sorry for me. I do not want people to feel sorry. I want them to know I understand how difficult it is when you know you have the ability and skills to do more, but can't seem to find the niche.
My favorite activity is just listening and exploring music. From my point of view, it is still not cheap, but as a necessity for school, I had to pay for prime shipping, so I got some goodies to go with them, including prime radio. It has been fun listening and finding new artists and types of music, and finding old music, too.
I am at the point where if I do not find a company that I want to continue and hopefully finish my career in, I will be continuing my education. I am about 95% sure I will be studying for my doctorate. I just have to look at finances and schedules. Life has been very difficult and I have not been proactive with the job search. I still have my current job, but it is not my passion. I watch the other employees doing what they get to do in their departments and I think, "I had that passion when I was doing what I loved, with people I loved to work with, not what I had to do to keep a paycheck."
I will be talking to an adviser soon, I hope about what I can do to take the next steps. I plan on getting my PHR certification after I finish my masters. I think I need to take 2 classes to get a graduate certification for human resources, so I might do that, which will extend my classes past summer. That is OK, because at least the masters' studies will be done. I might as well go for all the gusto. What do I have to lose? I can be a better candidate for more opportunities. I am even more excited to have all those letters after my name...MA, PHR. Looks kind of cool, no?
